The British government is struggling to process applications for shelter amid growing public discontent

Protests and counterprotests over Britain's asylum system were held across the country at the weekend, with disturbances and arrests reported in several cities.

The anti-immigration movement, emboldened by a recent High Court ruling and newly released government statistics, staged demonstrations under the banner 'Abolish Asylum System' in Bristol, Liverpool, London, Mold, Perth, and County Antrim.

Counterprotests organized by the group 'Stand Up to Racism' also mobilized, with some labeling their opponents "fascists." Police were deployed to separate the groups.

While most gatherings remained peaceful, some scuffles were reported. Avon and Somerset Police said a 37-year-old woman was arrested at Bristol's Castle Park on Saturday for allegedly assaulting an emergency worker.

In Liverpool, police arrested 11 people for various offenses. Authorities also ordered anti-asylum marchers to abandon their planned procession and instead rally outside St. George's Hall to minimize disruption.

The protests came days after the High Court allowed the Epping Forest District Council to close the Bell Hotel, which had been housing asylum seekers in Essex. The site drew demonstrations after a resident was charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl.

Under British law, the government is required to provide shelter to people seeking asylum while their cases are processed. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper criticized the court decision, saying closures should occur in a "properly managed way," even as the government seeks to end the use of asylum hotels.

According to the Home Office, there is a backlog of 106,000 asylum cases with an average wait time of 53 weeks. A record 111,084 people applied for asylum in the year to June 2025, including more than 27,000 who arrived illegally.

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Nigel Farage, leader of the Reform UK party, called the situation "a massive crisis," telling The Times: "There is only one way to stop people coming into Britain and that is to detain them and deport them."

Reform UK made significant gains in May's English local elections, winning more than 670 seats and taking control of ten of the 23 contested councils.